Postgraduate opportunities in Japan for international students

Postgraduate opportunities in Japan for international students Postgraduate opportunities in Japan Home career Postgraduate opportunities in Japan for international studentscareerPostgraduate opportunities in Japan for international studentsBy Megha Bali - April 13, 20195110Facebook For graduates looking for high-quality foreign studies with unique opportunities, a master’s course in Japan can also be an excellent choice. Japan has much to offer in terms of postgraduation studies, an emerging study destination abroad. Whether you want to explore Japan’s ultra-modern towns or its stunning sites, you are able to benefit from its expertise in a number of high-tech areas.Postgraduate opportunities in Japan Contents hide 1 Postgraduate opportunities in Japan 1.1 Universities in Japan 1.2 Education system in Japan 1.3 Academic calendar in Japan 1.4 Fees and funding of master’s degree in Japan 1.4.1 Additional expenses in Japan 1.4.2 Scholarships in Japan for international students 1.4.3 Japan government international scholarships 1.4.4 Japanese grant aid for h uman resource scholarships 1.4.5 Scholarships provided by JASSO 1.4.6 Entry requirements for masters in Japan 1.5 Documents required for the process 1.6 Visa and immigration for masters students in japan Postgraduate opportunities in JapanThere are no lack of teaching quality and research quality in Japan at seven of its 50 top universities in Asia (two of the 100 best in the world). Education is at the heart of Japanese modern society, with academic freedom protected under the Japanese Constitution.Here are a few reasons why you should consider postgraduate study in Japan this year:Excellent academics: Japan is known for its well trained staff and excellent teaching techniques with maximum focus on practical knowledge for skilled professionalsQuality of life: japan is one of the safest countries with no crime rate and is considered the best place for foreign studentsScholarship opportuninties: there are a lot of funding programs that the international students can enroll in and pursue their educationLearn a new language: While there are more Master’s programs in Japan which have been fully taught in English, there is a great chance to immerse yourself and learn Japanese in local culture.Also read Masters study in Russia: a complete guideUniversities in JapanThere are total 1300 universities in Japan out of which 75% of them are private run universities.In general, Japanese universities may be divided into three types: private, national and local public universities.National universities: these universities were founded to maintain a balance in the education system with a keen eye of the government to maintain proper law and order.Public local universities: These institutions are established and managed by local public entities and public university companies. They play an important role in providing local people with higher education and acting as intellectual and cultural centres.Private universities: These are not established by local or national governments but by independent organizations. Each promotes its own unique training and strengths in research. Over the years, they have contributed greatly to the growth of higher learning in Japan.Education system in JapanThe masters course in Japan is of two years. The students receive a number of credits from key courses, research courses and elective courses (which they can offer in lectures, tutorials, group work, practical courses, if applicable). Normally the lowest number of credit to be made is 30 out of a total of 31, leaving little room for error (with two credit per course usually available). The first three semesters are for your Master’s degree courses and the final semester is for your master’s dissertationIn addition to clearing your final exams, if you have decided to carry out a research project, you will have to submit a master’s thesis or present your findings. You will be appointed a supervisor for your last six months, but your doctoral plans can be disc ussed early if you wantAcademic calendar in JapanThe academic year in Japan begins in April and second one begins in October but not all universities can offer Master’s programs in the second half.Also read Scholarships to study masters in GermanyFees and funding of master’s degree in JapanIn national universities, the Ministry or local authorities for public universities set tuition fees for the implementation of a Master’s Program in Japan. At the moment, they are:National universities: ¥535,800 (USD $5,200) per year + ¥282,000 (USD $2,740) for admission feesLocal public universities: ¥538,167 (USD $5,225) per year + ¥230,717 (USD $2,240) for admission feesIn private universities the annual tuition fees is fixed between the range of ¥660,750 (USD $6,415) to ¥1,249,304 (USD $12,130) per year. Admission fees are around ¥220,000 (USD $2,000).Additional expenses in JapanThe National Health Insurance System requires all international students to enroll for the health insur ance scheme. This is done through the office processing your registration for your residence. The annual premium varies with Japan, but is some 23,200 yen per year (USD $ 220).The other Optional expenses include:University student health insurancePersonal accident insurancePersonal liability insuranceScholarships in Japan for international studentsJapan government international scholarshipsThese highly recommended scholarship program offer return air fares, university fares, a monthly grant of 143 000 (USD 1 340), an optional six-month Japanese course and assistance in finding accommodation through the Japanese embassy in your home country. These fellowships are only applicable in certain institutionsJapanese grant aid for human resource scholarshipsStudents from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Mongoly, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam can pursue a Masters of Studies with this scholarship program. The bursaries are held at selected universities and offer tuition fees, admission fees, travel and seminary allowances, book allowances, arrival allowances, hospitality allowances, scholarship allowances and shipping.Scholarships provided by JASSOJASSO is an independent administrative organization established by MEXT, which also conducts an EJU University Graduate Entrance Examination. It has a useful list of bonds offered by local authorities and private foundations to international students.Entry requirements for masters in JapanApplicants for a Master’s degree in Japan should have a Bachelor’s degree or an international equivalent. You may need to take an entrance exam in your subject area or provide a graduate test score such as GRE, so check the exact requirements at your selected university.If English is not your first language, you will need to provide a certificate in English such as TOEFL or IELTS (unless you have studied your degree in a country where English is the official language).Also read Scholarships offered in Sweden to international studentsDocuments required for the processThe application form at all universities in the country require the same documents that the candidates are required to submitThe application form, normally available online or as a document downloadablePersonal statement, sometimes referred to as the “academic essay”a bachelor’s certificateLetter of Recommendation (mostly two)English testing scores and certificates (and Japanese equivalent, if required) Visa and immigration for masters students in japanOnce you have accepted an admission bid, a Certificate of Eligibility issued by the Regional Immigration Bureau in Japan may be submitted on your behalf by your University. You will get this document from the university, which you can present when you apply for your visa to the Japanese embassy.You will receive your Regional Immigration Bureau’s Resident Card, which you must carry at all times. If your circumstances change, such as a course switch, institutio n or student withdrawal, you must inform the Regional Immigration Bureau.With the world’s third largest economy, Japan offers ample job opportunities for international graduates. You will need to change your visa status from “College Student” to one that reflects your desired career path, such as “Humanities / International Services Specialist” or “Engineer” before you find a job. Visit the website of Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for more information about this process. But for now quickly enroll in the masters program and board the flight of your dreamsTAGSJapanPostgraduate

What It Takes To Write For The Daily Show - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

What It Takes To Write For The Daily Show - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career *Following responses are not verbatim* I recently had the privilege to sit down with Delaney Yeager, a writer from The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Delaney told me about her experience on the show and the hard work it takes to be ready to air at 11pm Monday through Friday. The Daily Show’s focus is political satire covering current news stories through comedy. 2.5 Million viewers tune in every night to hear Jon Stewart report on the daily news. Christian Roberts: Where did you go to school? Delaney Yeager: I attended Pace University and had a major in Theater and minors in Creative Writing and Fine Art. As a kid, I wanted to be an actor. But after about two years in the BFA Acting program, I realized I felt more like a writer and director, so I changed my major and got myself a couple minors. I still love theater and have put up a couple shows at small theaters in Manhattan. My senior year in college I got an internship at The Daily Show in production. I met a lot of great people while interning and ended up starting a sketch group with a few former TDS interns. Skootch Comedy â€" look us up! Roberts: What’s an average writing day like on TDS? Yeager: It’s long. The day starts at 9:15 every morning. I normally get there earlier than that to give myself a little bit more time to get prepared. At around 9:15 we meet with the producers, Jon, and the entire writing staff. At this point everyone is up to date on the current events. A big part of the job is watching the news. So Jon will lay out the agenda, we are given our assignments, and then we’re off. We toss around ideas, write the jokes, and write more jokes. It’s the kind of job where you have to always be prepared. You could have a script ready to turn in, then something happens over night, and you would have to toss it and write another. That’s just how it goes! Roberts: What’s it like working with Jon Stewart? Yeager: It’s great. I still get star-struck sometimes. He’s crazy nice and the same guy in the office as he is on-camera, which is always refreshing. I mean, he’s Jon Stewart. Enough said. Roberts: What are important attributes a writer must have for TDS? Yeager: Definitely being able to work well under pressure. You have to be open to ideas and be able to speak them clearly. It’s a collaborative effort and if a joke doesn’t work you move on to the next one. You should also have a unique point of view, while being able to write in Jon’s voice. Roberts: What kind of career advice can you give to someone pursuing a career in writing for TV? Yeager: You must write all the time, even if it isn’t good. It’s a muscle that needs to be worked. Create stuff with your friends to keep the juices flowing, hang out with comedians and writers. Take constructive criticism from your peers, write some more, and have fun. And then write even more.

Ask MCG Every day I wake up dreading work...

Ask MCG Every day I wake up dreading work... Dear Ms. Career Girl, Every day I wake up dreading work. When Im there Im always stressed out. I hate my job, what do I do?! Thanks, S.C. This happens to a lot more people than you would expect!  Most of us have experienced this situation at one time or another.   It’s important to realize that you are not alone.   In this post, I am not going to flat out tell you to quit and run for the hills.   Rather, I am going to suggest a few things for you to do first to make the situation better. First, take a step back and reflect on your situation: Why do you hate going to work so much? Is there a certain job duty that makes you stressed out?   Is it a certain person you work with? Your work environment? Your boss? Pinpoint the areas that cause you to hate your job and write them down.   Brainstorm a few ways you can fix those problems and try a few of your solutions out at work.   For example, if there is a person that’s making your life miserable, ask to move to another area at work, or confront the person (constructively, of course).   Is your boss driving you crazy by micro-managing?  Try talking to your boss and express how you feel and how the both of you can work together to create a more optimal work environment.   We tend to forget that our bosses are human too and that they were, at one point, in our shoes.   You would be surprised how even the most neurotic bosses can be understanding and helpful.    Perhaps there is a certain project that is making you really stressed.   Think of things you can do differently to minimize the stress:  preparing the material earlier to avoid rushing to meet the deadline, using a planner, or asking for additional help.   To sum it up, chances are some your problems will be solved quickly based on how you deal with them.   Remember, it’s not what happens to us that really makes an impact, it’s how we react that counts. Second, think back to the day you found out you received the job offer.   Remember how happy you were?   Remember how grateful you felt? And how about the excitement you experienced on your first day?   At one point in time, you were really happy about your job and looked forward to going to work.   However, like most people, this feeling subsides rather quickly.   Don’t forget about how you felt when you first got the job.   In fact, constantly remind yourself how lucky you are to be employed the first place!  You could easily be part of the 7.7% of people who are without a job.   I was driving down the road in Keller, Texas (a more affluent town in north Texas) with my mom one day after grocery shopping.   We passed by an older man standing on a street corner, dressed in a suit and tie, holding up a sign that read “I need a job, please.  Some of the things you take for granted, others are praying for. Third, think of the core reason why your position exists (much like the “mission statement” companies have) and its positive impact in society.   For example, if you’re an admission counselor at a university, think of your job as “helping students create a better future for themselves by guiding them towards a college education.”   Or, if you’re a financial advisor, think of your job as “helping customers make important and smart financial decisions so they can live a better life.” Our job’s “mission statement” tends to get lost amidst daily stresses and long hours.   We lose sight of the central purpose of our position.   Write down your job’s “mission statement” and post it in areas that you frequent each day, like the bathroom mirror, the refrigerator, your desk at work, in your car, etc.   It will serve as a daily reminder of the purpose of your job.   This will aid you in the reshaping of your attitude towards work.   Change your attitude and you will change your world. If you have honestly and adamantly tried everything in your power to make your work situation better and it’s still causing you great stress and you still hate waking up every morning to go to work, then maybe it is time for a new job or possibly a new career.   But, don’t reach this conclusion unless you’ve truly given it all you’ve got.   Try out the tips above and see if your work situation improves.   Also, view what’s happening to you as valuable learning experience.   You’re learning a lot about yourself, what you like, and what you don’t like, career-wise.   There is always something positive to learn in every situation.  Good luck!

How to Find Internships (Best Websites Tips) - Career Sidekick

How to Find Internships (Best Websites Tips) - Career Sidekick How to Find Internships (Best Websites Tips) Recent Grads / https://www.edenscott.com/blog If youre looking for internships, then this article is for youWere going to go step-by-step through how to find summer internships for college students including the best internship websites, plus some tips that most students dont know! (so makes sure you read until the end).Internship websitesJob search websites and internships websites are a great way to find summer internship opportunities, especially paid internships.Here are the best internship websites for college students:Internships.comWayup.com/s/internshipsChegg.com/internshipsYoutern.comIdealist.org/en/internshipsUSAjobs.govLinkedIn.comGlassdoor.comIndeed.comYour university job listing page. Along with the internship websites mentioned above, your university may have a site with job listings, too. So ask your career center about that.Note: For general job search engines like LinkedIn and Glassdoor, put internship into the search box.Dont stop here though, the following tips are often even MO RE powerful (and faster) for finding an internship. So check out the tips below before you run off to search online.Talk to your professorsYour professors often have industry connections and know employers that offer opportunities to intern in the summer.Theyre paid by the university to help you, so dont be shy. Visit your professors during office hours and ask if they have any connections that could help you obtain an internship, or if they know of any internships themselves.Its best if you walk in prepared to ask about a specific type of internship (engineering, data science, etc.), or at least have some idea of what field would interest you. Dont just ask for an internship without any type of specific guidelines.Visit your university career centerAfter talking to your professors, talk to your university career center. The staff here have a different set of resources and connections (like recruiter relationships) that can help you find more internship job listings.Also, ask them i f your university has any industry associations, and find out about any alumni networks they have, too. These are additional channels that might be useful for landing a summer internship.Talk to university classmates and peersNext, talk to your friends/peers who have secured internships and ask how they did it. This will give you more information and leads that you can follow in your search for internships.They can tell you about which tactics worked best for them, which websites they used, etc. They may even tell you that the employer theyre going to intern for has more spots open.Career fairsYour university may offer career fairs, or there may be other career fairs in your local area. Attending career fairs is a good way to meet recruiters and find out about internship opportunities near you.Make sure to bring a copy of your resume highlighting any work experience you have (including past internships, part-time jobs, etc.) and your academic experience.Use recruiters (but find the right ones)While most recruiters dont specialize in helping entry-level job seekers or students, some do. You may meet them at career fairs, through your university career center, or through other networking activities.If you decide to seek the help of recruiters, make sure they work in the internship space, and in the field or industry youre interested in.My colleague on LinkedIn summed it up very well when I asked for tips to find internships:Campus organizations and clubsYou can also hear about more internships by becoming a part of clubs and organizations on campus. For example, if youre an engineering student, join an engineering club.This will expand your network and help you get to know even more people who can help you provide an internship through their connections and knowledge.Contact employers directlyNext, you can go directly to company websites and check their careers page for internships. Consider sending them an email with your resume and cover letter, even if they d ont have something listed.While this wont always work out, it eliminates most of the competition that youll find on popular internship websites, etc. So its worth doing.Plus, it shows passion and effort when you go research a company and contact them directly. So this will set you apart and get you noticed!Think outside the boxAll of the methods for finding internships that weve covered work, but everyone else is doing the same thing so youre going to have a lot of competition.Along with everything above, get creative and think of one or two ways to do things differently. Try something that other students arentdoing.Contacting employers directly (discussed above) is one good method.Theres also a lot more you can do. Heres an example from a colleague of mine on LinkedIn:Maybe you can find a way to use social media to find an internship, too. Start following and responding to a couple of your favorite companies on Twitter or Facebook and see if you can catch their attention that way.O r maybe you have a family member whos in an industry youd like to intern in. Ask them who they know! People cant help you if they dont know youre looking.The recipe will be different for each student, but always try to find one or two things you can do differently to get a company to notice you.This is true for any job hunt. The typical company receives hundreds of applicants for each job (the most recent studies Ive read say that an employer gets 150-250 per corporate job). So you need to find a way to stand out.Start your search earlyWith all of the internship search tactics above, its important to start early. Begin at least a few months before your summer internship would begin, if not more.Start preparing your internship resume even sooner. Start networking earlier, too. That way, youll be ready to apply for internships when youre 3-4 months out.Local Internships: How to Find Internships Near YouOne question I get asked a lot as a recruiter is, How can I find internships near m e? I only want to hear about internships in my local area.If youre interested only in internships near you, you can use all of the methods above, but should focus on networking and talking to people at your university first and foremost. Your local network, university career center, and professors will be more in-tune with the local market.Many online internship search websites will have filters for location, too. So spend time looking for internships opportunities on the web, but start with a local, networking-focused approach when looking for an internship in your city or local area.How to Find Paid InternshipsIf you only want paid internships, you should mention this when meeting with professors, talking to your university career center, speaking to campus recruiters and/or recruiters at career fairs.You can also add search terms like paid or salary to your online searches when using websites like Indeed and LinkedIn to find internships.For some of the websites listed earlier, th is isnt necessary, and they offer a specific page showing only paid internships.For example, Wayup.com has an option you can click to see only paid internships. So look for this option whenever trying to find internships online.If you stay persistent and targeted in your search, youll find a paid opportunity. Not every internship is paid, but many high-quality companies offer a paid internship. You simply need to narrow your approach to find that type of company.How to Write Your Internship Cover LetterIn general, a cover letter should be addressed directly to the hiring manager or person receiving it (Dear Susan, not Dear HR Department, and it should highlight information thats not on your resume.Dont just repeat your resume info; no employer wants to read that. If you dont have any further info to add in a cover letter, then you may not need to send a cover letter.Or you could write about how you found out about the opportunity, why youre passionate about the work youd be doing in this role, how some of your class projects have prepared you for this, etc. Thats what I recommend writing.This article has more tips on how to write a cover letter with no experience.Conclusion (And More Resources)Now you know how to find internships for college students so you can gain experience and gain a headstart in your career.If you follow the tactics above, youll stand out and find a better job and company for your summer internship.No matter what you do, though, dont conduct your search only online. Youre going to gain far more opportunities and info by speaking with people your professors, classmates, etc.Every industry is a bit different, and each city/region in the US is a bit different, too. So what works for one person online might not work well for your particular search. This is why theres no substitute for having real conversions, asking people what they recommend or what worked for THEM.Additional reading to help you land a better internship or job as a student: Questions to ask at a career fairQuestions to ask recruitersHow to find a job after collegeThe best jobs for new college grads

Using Wordpad Resume Template to Make Your Job Search Much Easier

Using Wordpad Resume Template to Make Your Job Search Much EasierWordpad resume template is a computer software program that enables you to create resumes and job descriptions. It is a very popular and useful tool that can make your life easier by providing you with a superbly structured document. This type of template was created using Microsoft Word and can produce a good looking document when the user follows a few steps.The first step in creating a Wordpad resume template is to get a copy of the Wordpad template. There are several software programs available that you can use to create a personal template. Alternatively, if you have a printer at home, you can use the free version of Wordpad. When you open the Wordpad application, you will find a toolbar which allows you to move around the page. Use the tool to move from one page to another and place it on your desktop.Once you have placed it on your desktop, it is now time to add your required information. Look for any sections wh ere you want to include something special such as a cover letter. Place the information into this section and then start filling in the rest of the information. This is important as you want to be sure that all of the essential details are filled in and there are no gaps.Once the personal information has been added, you will need to take a look at the different sections to ensure that they all relate to each other. For example, do you want a section for skills, education, certifications, work experience? Do you want to include your work history or personal history section? You can also have a section for an objective statement and be sure that these are placed within the correct place. You can now place your resume on the Wordpad template and review it to ensure that everything is right.As you look over the Wordpad resume template, you should look for any areas where you can make some adjustments. By adjusting the formatting and moving the various sections around you can make it loo k a lot more professional. In addition, you can change the names of the sections if you wish so that they match the format of the other sections.It is also possible to move the job history section from the front to the back of the document. By moving this section of the Wordpad template to the front, it will save valuable space in the document and make it easier to see when the section contains the information that you want to include.Finally, you will need to print out the template so that you can start creating your new resume. You can either use the actual paper or you can use a form from an office supply store. Just be sure that the paper is clear and you will find that printing your new resume is a simple process.Once you print the Wordpad resume template, use it to fill in the gaps and be sure that everything matches up. If not, then repeat the process and check everything out until you have the perfect document.

4 reasons why you shouldnt plan your lifes purpose. - Wolfgang Career Executive Coaching

4 reasons why you shouldn’t plan your life’s purpose. - Wolfgang Career Executive Coaching Life is about achievements! You know, achivements like this: Graduate from college Find a job Grow in that job Buy a nice car Find a spouse or partner Have kids Buy a house Get a better job Buy a nicer car Buy a bigger house Start a retirement account Save a certain amount in that retirement account Retire Accomplish something noble in retirement Maybe these are achievements that you’ve come to believe in (and that’s perfectly okay). But are these 14 accomplishments the formula for defining purpose? Are they going to bring you happiness?  Do they sound like a purposeful life to you? And ultimately, this:   Purpose: Are you a “human being” or a “human doing?” The above question creates an interesting thought: Is our life achievement plan getting in the way of our life’s purpose? Here are perspectives to think about:   Purpose planning makes you overthink When we plan, we also overthink. One of the greatest elements of purpose, is its ambiguity. The ability for us to know and not know what it is at the same time. If we plan too much, we miss the opportunity to let it happen. Where’s the balance between finding purpose and discovering it Planning in and of itself isn’t a bad thing. Actually, it’s important that we have balance between our human being and human doing achievements. When there is balance, we’re more able to operate in our truest form. Having success doesn’t mean having purpose (or happiness) As you balance between being a human being and human doing, make sure that you also balance success. Remember, too much of a good thing is a bad thing. “Happiness requires an assortment of ingredients and abundance of a single ingredient (success) won’t do the trick.” As you continue to define your purpose, it’s okay if success isn’t the number 1 item / achievement. Without purpose, relationships remain utilitarian When our life’s purpose is built on achievements, our relationships remain utilitarian. This means, our relationships and the motives behind them are built out of the necessity to accomplish something, rather than the desire to act for the sake of the friend. This is extremely important because friendships are the single most important factor in determining a person’s happiness, according to an AARP study. And if our relationships don’t extend beyond utility, our happiness, and ultimately purpose, will be affected. Planning, in and of itself isn’t a negative thing. However, when it comes to your purpose, think about how you can better balance your actions. Are you going to be a human being or human doing? -Wolfgang Career Coaching Team By Wolfgang Career Coaching|2017-10-02T15:51:20+00:00October 11th, 2017|Career Change, Motivation|1 Comment

Your Career Wont Thrive If Youre Not Focused On These 5 Actions - Kathy Caprino

Your Career Wont Thrive If Youre Not Focused On These 5 Actions For as long as I’ve been offering career training programs, people have asked me to develop a short assessment that will help them figure out how to build a happy career. For years, I resisted, because I felt that career success and happiness are just too deep and complex to be captured in a short quiz. The inner and outer steps you have to take to be happy in your work defy easy analysis or a quick “score.” After the thousandth request, however, I decided to create a new tool that will give professionals a clear, concrete idea of what they’re doing right, and what they’re missing, in building a career that they’ll love and succeed at, for the long haul. Last month, I launched a new Career Success Readiness Quiz to do just that. Based on my in-depth research on career success, and work with over 10,000 professionals (and my own career reinventions), the quiz explores what I’ve come to believe are the 30 critical steps you must take if you want to reach your ultimate potential and find great joy and satisfaction in your work. To date, 5585 people have taken the quiz. I thought I had my finger on the pulse of what’s holding people back from happier careers, but after reviewing the results from these survey takers, I can honestly say I’m floored. Of the 30 critical steps essential for career success, 15 are being neglected by over 40% of the population surveyed (professional men and women around the world at all levels). And five essential steps are being neglected by over 60% of those studied. I was so surprised that I went back and re-analyzed all the data, to be sure. The bottom line is this: In order to build a satisfying career, you need to engage in all 30 of the steps the Career Success Readiness quiz shares, but the following five are being overlooked by the majority of professionals today: Power Networking Question 5: “I am an active power networker, and focus on meeting and connecting with inspiring new people in my industry and beyond every month.” (71% said “No”) You can’t succeed and reach your best life and career if you’re alone and in a vacuum. You need great people to help you â€" loyal fans, ambassadors, mentors, sponsors, friends â€" people you respect and admire who think the world of you and your work, and will open doors and make important introductions for you. You can’t rise to the next level if you’re slogging through your career alone. Focus on meeting at least one new person a month who inspires you. Connecting With People Outside Your Company Question 6: “I attend networking meetings, industry association meetings and regional and national conferences on a regular basis, to build a support community outside of those who work for my company.” (75% said “No”) I’ve worked with scores of clients from Fortune 100 companies who come to me desperate for a career or job change, but they suddenly realize they know nobody outside of their company. And they’ve been there so long that they don’t know how to proceed. You need to build a powerful support community beyond the folks you immediately work with. Don’t wait. Get out there and meet new people every month who will expand your horizons and show you what life is like outside of your company. It’s critical that you keep your options open at all times, to avoid feeling trapped at one company or job that no longer fits. Interviewing Regularly Question 29: “I interview regularly at other firms or organizations, or if I own my own business, I regularly explore new partnerships, collaborations and affiliates, to build new pathways to opportunities that will expand my growth.” (71% said “No”) No matter how happy you are at your job, you need to be interviewing regularly (numerous times a year) and exploring new partnerships and collaborators. Don’t make the mistake I see over and over with folks over 45 who’ve been suddenly laid off, and haven’t interviewed in 10 years. Whatever age you are, you need the practice of communicating to hiring managers exactly why you’re amazing and why you should be hired. Secondly, even if you’re happy at your job, there are fabulous opportunities out there that you should be aware of and going for, to help you guide your career trajectory more authoritatively. Shaping Your Career Question 4: “I have concrete, measurable and specific short-term and long-term goals for my career, and I know where I’m taking it.” (63% Said “No”) Angie Ruan, PayPal’s Retail Engineering Head told me recently that the most powerful advice she’s ever received (from her first mentor Terri Jordan, Vice President of eBay operations at the time) was: “You have to work on every part of your career to assure promotion. Your career is something you have to take control of explicitly.” Too many people let their careers just happen, rather than taking the reins and steering the course. You have to manage your career proactively, or it will manage you (and you’ll lose control of it). Start today by developing both long- and short-term S.M.A.R.T. (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely) goals, and find a supportive coaching buddy to hold you accountable to make these goals a reality. You spend most of your time on this planet at work â€" don’t you want to make the most of it? Career Change Transition Planning Question 8: “If I am considering a career change, I have developed a clear, well-informed plan that contains realistic financial and professional development goals, as well as a sound financial plan for my transition.” (61% Said “No”) Thousands of people reach out to me a year desperate for a career change, but very few have done the work of identifying the best directions to pursue, “trying on” these directions to make sure they’re a true fit, and finally, building a solid transition plan with realistic financial and professional goals to get there. On the flip side, high-level professionals tell me everyday, “I hate my work, but I can’t leave it. The money is just too good, but I so want out.” Both positions are faulty. There are many ways you can transition out of what you’re doing without throwing the baby out with the bathwater. You don’t have to go broke to be happy. You can improve your career and re-direct your work to something more satisfying without losing everything. But to do it, you need a strong, vetted, and proven plan that will take you there. Are you neglecting these 5 important career-building actions and letting your career wither and die on the vine? (To build a happier career, download my free teleclass on The Inner Game of Career Success and take my Career Success Readiness Quiz.)